Whedon
Since the announcement back in August that Marvel would attempt its first ever live-action series with Joss Whedon at the helm, the internet has been abuzz with what exactly the show could consist of. With plenty of speculation regarding the pilot, fans have been lookign forward to the day we would get details from the Dr. Horrible creative team creating the project and just what exactly we might be in for when the show (hopefully) premieres. Now as it seems that the first draft of the script has been handed in, we’ve received the first character details scoop regarding what our core team ofS.H.I.E.L.D. agents could consist of.
TV Line posted the following character details from casting details they have obtained, which reveals that in S.H.I.E.L.D. the potential new series may be female-driven as the women outnumber the men in what seems to be a core team of five:
- Skye – This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm.
- Agent Grant Ward – Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you.
- Agent Althea Rice – Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged.
- Agent Leo Fitz and Agent Jemma Simmons – These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.
Now these are the first details ever regarding the project, besides the fact that it will take place within the titular organization that has become essential to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whedon has said that he won’t be directly building off of the films and instead he, his brother Jed and Maurissa Tancharoen will try to make the series “it’s own thing” without relying too heavily on what the big-screen installments have already set up.
What’s also interesting is the fact that these characters are completely original, without any affiliation to the Marvel Comics what so ever. Of course, these could be simply placeholder names (or even details) to throw hardcore fans off the scent of what could be the true characters to come, but given Joss’ strong stance of developing the show as an individual while exploring the inner workings of S.H.I.E.L.D. we’d be willing to bet that perhaps this is the Whedon clan’s own take on the Marvel universe for now.
Of course there is no word whether or not this is the final draft of the script, as the announcement regarding the series was made just around two months ago. Seeing how this is a high-profile pilot with a set production commitment from ABC, the trio still have some time to work out the kinks. While it could head into filming early in order to prepare any extra special effects work, Joss has been always tossed around as the top candidate to direct the first episode. Though he’s not confirmed, Jed and Maurissa will then take over as showrunners of the series should it be picked up by the network.
We’ll keep you updated as more information develops in the future.
